Jennifer Barren, who resigned last August, met with the patient alone in a linen room six times, according to a report from the state Office of Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations. State investigators found no direct evidence of sexual contact but "significant evidence of an inappropriate relationship."

Investigators substantiated the sexual abuse complaint "based on a preponderance of the evidence." Under state administrative rules, sexual abuse includes "failure to discourage sexual advances toward staff by individuals."

Oregon State Police began its criminal investigation Aug. 5 but stopped it four days later and concluded the complaint was "unfounded," Lt. Gregg Hastings, a state police spokesman, wrote in an email Thursday. The case was referred back to the hospital for review and was not forwarded to the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Barren and the patient refused to cooperate or provide statements, and no witnesses or evidence substantiated any sexual contact occurred, Hastings wrote.

"OSP is not re-opening a criminal investigation because there is still no evidence substantiating actual physical sexual contact occurred while Ms. Barren was employed at OSH," he wrote.

A spokeswoman for the board declined to say whether the board was investigating Barren or if it had received Barren's report from state investigators.

"We would definitely investigate any report coming from another state agency," said Barbara Holtry, a board spokeswoman. "I can't say anything specifically about any specific individual. Statute prevents me from talking or confirming complaints or investigations."

The board has the power to reprimand a nurse's license, suspend it, place it on probation, or revoke it, Holtry said. A nurse could also voluntarily surrender a license. A nurse whose license is revoked or voluntarily surrendered must wait at least three years before re-applying for a license.

Barren did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday evening.
Reached by phone last August shortly after the complaint was filed, she
denied the allegation. "That's not true, and I really don't want to talk
about it," she said at the time before she hung up.